August 10, 2017 – Tierra Grande Class of 2017 Members Are “Hands On” with Wetlands Maintenance & Fall Cleanup. Thank You Texas Master Naturalists One and All!
Bayla Metzger(l) Abbie Perrault(r) Bird Blind Painting
Dragonfly Pond Clean-Up Crew
(L to R Pond Crew) Wetlands Sponsor – Ellen Weinacht, Linda Myers, Judy Freeman, Ned Allen
Joe Sublett (Pond Crew)
Martin Havran, Bird Blind Painting
Matt Grant, Kiosk Maintenance
August 7, 2017 – Come and Experience Sandia Springs Wetlands New Dragonfly Pond. (Images By Michael Gray)
Marl Pennant
Commanche Skimmer
American Rubyspot
July 5, 2017 – New Irrigation Gates Installed. Also Shown – Dave Hedges Long Time Sandia Springs Project Manager. Thank You Dave! (Image By Dave Mainz)
June 3, 2017 – Sightings and images from Sandia Wetlands Project. Thank you Mike and Cecilia Gray!
BURROWING OWL
SCALED QUAIL
Following image with dark eye (not red) is maybe a Glossy Ibis. The rest are White Faced Ibis. Unconfirmed sighting and images from Mike Gray – May 5, 2017. Thank you Mike!
Additional images by Mike Gray
Black-necked Stilt, Common at Sandia Wetlands
Marbled Godwit, Common at Sandia Wetlands
Wilson’s Phalarope – Sighted Sandia Wetlands April 27, 2017
The following images taken by Mark Lockwood, TPWD April 24, 2017. American Golden-Plovers are quite rare in the Trans-Pecos. Thank you Mark!
American Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Cinnamon Teal
Lesser Yellowlegs
Long-Billed Dowitcher
Drone Footage, Sandia Wetlands Project – April 13, 2017. How far we have come in just a few short years. Spring migration is well underway we expect to see you soon.
“New Flash” – Herring Gull Sighting March 31, 2017. Reported By Cecilia Riley, Thank You Cecilia!
TAMU FILE PHOTO
Soon To Be Released Drone Overview Of Sandia Wetlands Project. Here Is A Teaser – March 9, 2017
IMAGE COURTESY OF GARY MARTIN. FINISHED VIDEO TO BE RELEASED SOON.
Snow Geese From Contributor Melody Lytle Thank You Melody – March 5, 2017
SNOW GEESE
SNOW GEESE
Dragonfly Pond Strategy Meeting, Sandia Wetlands Project – March 3, 2017
Plotters and planners Kay Charter – Director Saving Birds Thru Habitat, Dave Mainz, Chris Wilson, Gary Martin – President TAMU Press, all plotting and planning for the new dragonfly pond. Not shown Ellen Weinacht, Photographer and Sandia Wetlands Project Director.
More about Saving Birds Thru Habitat: http://www.savingbirds.org/index.html
Geese and replenished water in all units after winter repair and improvements – February 28, 2017
NEW FLASH – February 22, 2017
Winter upgrades and improvements have all been completed at Sandia Springs Wetlands. All units have water and we are waiting on spring migration: Bring It On!
Snow Geese February 2, 2017
Rare Burrowing Owl Sighted, (Groucho subspecies)
Recent images taken at Sandia Wetlands by Bill Wright. Thank You Bill! January 21, 2017
(Click on image to enlarge)
Just in: Results from last month’s Balmorhea & Davis Mtns, Christmas Bird Count. Thank you Mark Lockwood, TPWD – January 21, 2017
(Click on links)
Wetlands Improvements Underway – January 13, 2017
INSTALLATION OF FOUR NEW IRRIGATION GATES
Recent Images From Maryann Eastman – January 13, 2017
AVOCETS
LONG BILLED DOWITCHER
LONG BILLED DOWITCHERS
WHITE FACED IBIS
WILSON’S PHALARO
News Update From Ellen Weinacht – January 6, 2017
Preparations are underway to ready the wetland for the installation of new gates in ponds 2 and 4 and new drainage pipes in ponds 3 and 1. The pools have been drained and the ducks and geese have made themselves at home in ponds 1 and 2, our overflow ponds. Work must be completed by mid-July. Our thanks again to Ducks Unlimited for their generous grant.
The dragonfly pond is nearly off the drawing board and promises to be another exciting adventure.
Ducks in flight:
Geese in flight:
Ducks and More Ducks at Sandia Wetlands, November 26, 2016
(CLICK ON LINK TO VIEW)
November 3, 2016
TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST CHAPTER ANNOUNCES RECEIPT OF GENEROUS GRANT FROM DUCKS UNLIMITED TO BENEFIT THE SANDIA SPRINGS WETLAND PROJECT, BALMORHEA TEXAS.
(CLICK ON DOCUMENTS TO ENLARGE)
August, 2016 Davis Mountains Annual Humming Bird Festival
Sandia Springs Wetlands hosted as one of the venues for this event.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)
July, 2016 Sandia Wetlands Project Maintenance & Cleanup
(CLICK ON IMAGES FOR CAPTION & TO ENLARGE)
Wednesday July 20, 2016
On Wednesday 20th July, 2016, a group of 22 high school students were given a tour of the Sandia Springs wetlands. The students were there as part of the Wildlife Conservation Camp hosted by The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society. On this morning, students were given a lecture by Dr. Ryan O’Shaughnessy from the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University. The lecture included discussion of wetland functions, timing of flooding and draw-downs, seed and invertebrate production, as well as information on management tools used in wetlands. After the initial talk, students were led around the periphery of the wetlands to examine the water-control feature currently being implemented at the Sandia Springs. The student showed great interest in the wetlands, and asked some meaningful and well thought questions. A good time was had by all, and the Wildlife Camp hopes to return to the Sandia Springs in the near future.
Images follow.
Ryan O’Shaughnessy, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Borderlands Research Institute
Department of Natural Resource Management
Sul Ross State University
(Click On Image To Enlarge)
Sandia Springs Hosts Texas A&M Press Publishers Board. May 22, 2016
Ellen Weinacht Sandia Springs Wetlands property owner, sponsor and Tierra Grande member last weekend May 22nd hosted breakfast for the Advancement Board of Texas A&M University Press of which Ellen is a member. The TAMU Press has published works of folks very familiar to Tierra Grande Members and friends including Jackie Poole, Madge Lindsey, Dr. Louis Harveson and others. Credit to Dave Mainz for the images including those of White-faced Ibis.
For more information on TAMU University Press:
http://www.tamupress.com/pages/about_advisory_council.aspx
Josh Burns, Sandia Springs Wetlands Update. 2/11/16
Yesterday, I was up at the Balmorhea area birding places and have some information you (and whoever) might like to have. Balmorhea Lake was very high and between the high water and the flooded access roads I found only a few ducks and only one Snow Goose.
I drove over to Sandia and there were 62 Snow Geese including a half-dozen or so Blue Geese on the pond by the blind. Also a few shovelers, cinnamon teal and Mexican Ducks. I did not go into the wetlands as the geese seemed to be a bit jumpy about my presence.
Did the Snow Geese move (of course)?
Josh
2015 Balmorhea Christmas Bird Count
The 2015 Christmas Bird Count list was provided by Mark Lockwood, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Lots of Birds.
CLICK ON LINK TO DOWNLOAD TO YOUR COMPUTER
Ever wondered how the count got started and how the data is used today?
Learn more by going to the following Audubon link.
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/history-christmas-bird-count
December 26, 2015 Boxing Day!
BOXING DAY DECEMBER 26, 2015 AT SANDIA SPRINGS WETLANDS!
Images taken from the Carter Bird Blind: CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
What is Boxing Day all about anyway? Find out here, enjoy:
http://www.pauldenton.co.uk/Boxingday.htm
TUESDAY DECEMBER 8, 2015
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Lots of snow geese and ducks.
SATURDAY MAY 23, 2015
Ellen and Don Weinacht hosted the very first Sandia Wetlands “Hoedown”. Friends, neighbors, dignitaries came from far and wide to enjoy BBQ, cold refreshments, make new acquaintances and renew old friendships and to honor the completion of the wetlands bird blind with a champagne dedication. A good time was had by all.
Click on images to enlarge.
Ellen Weinacht and guests.
The entire Hoedown crew.
Michael Carter, Dave Mainz & Dave Hedges.
FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2015
Ellen Weinacht and Dave Mainz added the finishing touches to the bird blind with an expertly applied seal coat on all the wood except for the cedar siding. The blind is open for business.
Click on image to enlarge.
SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015
Bird blind roof installed, cedar siding completed, window sills installed…..construction is complete, and ready to use. Enjoy
Click on images to enlarge
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2015
Click on images to enlarge
Framing for the walls completed work was started on the cedar siding. Work to continue…..in a week or so…
SATURDAY JANUARY 17, 2015 – Fortunately Michael Carter was in charge otherwise we might still be out there. Michael designed the project, ordered materials and made sure we had the right equipment. This will be an ongoing project if you are interested in helping out. The first stage began yesterday Saturday, January 17th and will continue early next week. Half the flooring is complete. We had a great turn out. Ellen hosted potluck lunch. Other wetlands work was done as well including wetlands maintenance and the removal of unwanted plants, dried brush and tumbleweed.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Michael Carter (left) Bird Blind Project Manager
DAVE HEDGES SANDIA PROJECT MANAGER
SNOW GEESE
SNOW GEESE
ANN SAYS SHE IS ON THE LEVEL. MICHAEL AND STEVE LOOK AMAZED.
THE CREW
THE DECK CREW
Work continued Tuesday January 20th. The deck was nearly completed, work began on the front wall facing the water.
Dave Mainz
Topside Michael Carter, project manager. Below Abel and Dave Mainz.
Work will continue to two weeks or so. The floor framing plan was abused.
FRONT WALL FACING WATER
Work continued February 8 – Framing for roof and walls was nearly completed. Michael’s prebuilt stairs were installed. Work to be continue later this week.
Click on images to enlarge.
MICHAEL, BIRD BLIND PROJECT MANAGER
FRONT WALL FACING WATER
LATE IN THE DAY. DAVE AND STEVE RETURNED ALPINE AT 7:30PM
DAVE’S FAVORITE LADDER (LEFT) IN A HIGH WIND. NOTE THE STAIRS WERE INSTALLED (LOWER RIGHT)
